Saturday 10 / May / 2025
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is celebrating World Migratory Bird Day, observed annually on May 10. This year’s theme, “Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities,” aims to raise awareness about the importance of integrating nature into urban planning and encouraging efforts to make cities more welcoming to migratory birds.
As part of these efforts, the Environment Authority continues its scientific and fieldwork initiatives to monitor and protect the Sooty Falcon, a migratory bird species at risk of extinction. Specialists have conducted field surveys in Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve and Fahal Island to enhance conservation efforts for this species.
The authority has also installed identification rings on young falcons to track them in the future and assess natural nesting sites. Additionally, it has launched a national campaign to combat invasive bird species, which pose a threat to local ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly the Common Myna and Indian Crow.
Statistics indicate that over 1.2 million invasive birds have been recorded across Oman as of May 2025, including approximately 1.03 million Common Mynas and 171,000 Indian Crows, highlighting the challenges these species pose to native and migratory birds.
The Environment Authority emphasized that balancing efforts to protect migratory birds while controlling invasive species is essential for a healthy and sustainable environment. It called on all sectors and community institutions to support bird-friendly practices, such as sustainable agriculture, clean water access, pollution reduction, and minimizing bird collisions with glass structures.
The authority also stressed the importance of making Omani cities safe and attractive for birds, reinforcing Oman’s role as a secure passage for international migration routes while ensuring a balance between development and biodiversity conservation.
